Should You Build Your Deck with Wood or Plastic?

When you think of getting a deck installed in your backyard, you probably think of a beautiful wooden deck. Wood has been the premier material option for deck construction for a long time. In the past few years, manufactured “plastic lumber” has become more popular, and so you may be having a hard time choosing between the two. Which material is best for you is up to a few different factors, as well as personal preference.

Real Wood

There are a few different types of real wood that are commonly used as deck material. Pressure-treated lumber, redwood/cedar, and tropical hardwoods. They all have different price points as well as different appearances. Pressure-treated lumber is, by far, the most popular real wood lumber option for deck construction. It’s also the most affordable. If you don’t love the signature greenish hue, you can always stain it yourself! It’s not as sturdy or durable as some of the other real wood options, though. So you’ll have to take the design of your deck into consideration when you’re choosing between pressure-treated lumber and another type of lumber for your backyard deck.

Plastic Lumber

Plastic Lumber, or more commonly known as Composite Decking, is a hybrid product that’s composed mainly of recycled plastic and wood fibers. This makes a product that is dense, heavy, and weather and stain resistant that won’t splinter, warp, or rot.

The appeal of composite decking in general is that it’s a relatively maintenance free material. You’ll never need to sand or scrub the surface to keep it in good condition. A light scrubbing with soap and water will keep it clean, and diluted bleach will get rid of any mold or mildew issues in damp and dark areas of the deck.

With composite decking, however, you have very limited color options. This material usually comes in brown, grey, and tan. If one of those colors works for you, this may be a great option!

Which should I get?

This is entirely up to you and your personal needs! Do you need something that’s low maintenance? Do you want the look of real wood? Are you wanting something made of recycled materials? Which option fits into your budget better? At the end of the day, you should consult with us so we can make sure that whatever option you choose, is the right option for you and your backyard.